Ditchable scuba tank weight device

ABSTRACT

A ditchable trim weighting device for scuba tanks, comprised of a length of curved tubing made of elastic material (preferably rubber) filled with shot or a combination of lighter material, sealed flat on the ends which are threaded as straps to the male and female elements of a quick-release buckle (preferably side-release) providing a stretched, snug grip when fastened around a standard diameter scuba tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The original standard for scuba tanks was steel with capacitiesof 50 and 70 cubic feet of compressed air or mixed gasses. These tanksoften developed corrosion problems, prompting the introduction ofaluminum tanks and the phasing out of the older steel variety. Thealuminum tanks are more problem free and are higher capacity (80 cubicfeet) at 3,000 pounds of pressure.

[0002] With the increased use of lighter aluminum tanks in scuba divingcame the problem of increased buoyancy caused by the depletion of air asit is consumed during a dive. Heavier, lower capacity steel tanks haveenough extra weight to offset most of the increased buoyancy caused byair consumption.

[0003] To solve the problem of increased buoyancy, more weight isrequired to attain residual negative buoyancy with one's BuoyancyControl vest empty and air tank depleted to the point where it is timeto surface. The extra weight cannot be carried by most weight belts, soit is usually carried in the forward pockets of the Buoyancy Controlvest. This creates an excessive forward weighting imbalance that is madeworse as tank buoyancy increases with air consumption. This forces thediver to fight the resulting forward pressure to achieve proper trim orposition in the water, especially at the end of a dive when fatigue canmake the face-down pressure a safety problem. Weights added to thepockets of a vest are not easily removed in an emergency.

[0004] Several devices have been used as tank weights to remedy theproblem of excess tank buoyancy.

[0005] Weighted pouches and lead weights attached in various ways tobelts strapped to the tank have been employed (U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,718to Finnern). The disadvantages of this type system are that they tend toslip out of position after the webbing becomes saturated with water andexpands and the pouches and solid weights are bulky with the weightunevenly distributed. One device is comprised of a web strap harnesswhich can hold one ore more individual cylindrical weights in bandolierfashion. This system is not removable in a dive emergency and is subjectto slippage with water saturation as well. It is also more expensivethan other systems. Pouches for weights are also made to be threadedonto the tank retaining band. since the tank band is what secures thetank to the diver, it cannot be removed during a dive and the fact thatmany tank band widths and configurations exist precludes their use withmany tank bands. These are also bulky with uneven weight distribution.

[0006] Lead weights in a flat ring shape are made to be put in a bootwhich is fitted onto the bottom of the tank (U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,475 toHenderson). This method requires two lead rings to achieve the optimumballast weight of about four pounds and the necessarily tight fit of theboot makes it extremely inconvenient to transfer from one tank toanother, necessitating the purchase of weights for each tank the diverowns (usually two or more). As a result of this configuration, onecannot ditch the weight during a dive emergency and the extra weightstays with the tanks, making them more cumbersome to handle. Anothersystem uses a special tank boot with weights fitted into it with aretainer which can be pulled to release the weights (U.S. Pat. No.6,030,146 to Nicolen, et al.). This has the disadvantages that thesystem is not easily transferred from one tank to another and the ringpull used to release the weights may be accidentally snagged, droppingthe weights unexpectedly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This novel device provides a safer, more effective, easier to usetrim weight system for attachment to a standard diameter scubacompressed air tank.

[0008] This invention incorporates several features which solve theproblems posed by existing devices and systems designed as tankweighting to compensate for excess back buoyancy produced in aluminumtanks by the consumption of air during a dive.

[0009] With this device the “strap” and weighting functions areintegrated by way of a curved stretchable tubing (such as rubber) filledwith finely divided weight (such as lead shot) that is sealed flat onboth ends to allow the attachment of a quick-release type buckle(preferably side-release).

[0010] This embodiment allows the device to be stretched enough toprovide a snug, non-slip grip on any standard diameter scuba tank. Thedevice is easily transferred from one tank to another and provides alow-profile distribution of the weight around the tank. The side releasebuckle prevents accidental release during a dive and provides forinstant release in an emergency. The flat buckle and softness of theshot-filled tubing also allows it to function as a protective bumper andanti-roll device during transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a perspective external view of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a cross-section view of the shot filled tubing.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a flattened and sealed tubingend.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention (FIG. 1) is a scuba tank trim weight devicecomprised of a shot-filled (FIG. 2) length of curved rubber tubing 11with the ends (FIG. 3) sealed flat 12 to allow the female element 13 ofa quick-release buckle to be attached to one end and the male element 14of a quick-release buckle to be attached to the other end. Thisconfiguration, sized by tubing length and diameter to hold approximatelyfour pounds (more or less) of shot 15, allows the device (FIG. 1) to bestretched around the tank to a snug fit with maximum contact andbuckled.

[0015] Existing devices intended as tank ballast typically incorporateweighted pouches made of various materials, sewn or threaded ontobuckled webbing. Lead bars and rings are also made to be attached tostraps or inserted into a tank boot.

[0016] This novel device is assembled by cutting the curved rubbertubing 11 to the appropriate length (about 24 inches), sealing about 1¾inches of one end (FIG. 3) flat 12 with adhesive (such as cyanoacrylate)and held with a clamp, then filling the tube with shot 15 using ametered dispenser. The shot 15 is then tamped tight in the remainingopen end of the tubing to allow sealing the end 12 flat (FIG. 3) in thesame manner as the other end. When the adhesive is set the clamps areremoved and the sealed, flat ends 12 are threaded as straps onto eachelement of a quick-release type buckle 13,14.

[0017] The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes rubber, leadshot and a side-release buckle 13,14. A lighter version can be made bysubstituting neutrally buoyant or lighter pellets in place of some ofthe shot 15.

[0018] The device is buckled onto a standard diameter scuba compressedair tank before a dive to provide counterweight to compensate for theweight of the air used during the dive, thereby counteracting theforward, face-down pressure produced by the increased buoyancy of thedepleted tank, and ensuring an upright position in the water aftersurfacing from a dive.

I claim:
 1. A ditchable scuba tank weight device comprised of a lengthof appropriately sized curved tubing, made of elastic material such asrubber, filled with divided weight (such as lead shot or a combinationof differently weighted pellets) between flattened and sealed ends, saidflattened ends threaded as straps onto a quick-release buckle(preferably side-release), allowing a stretched, shape conforming gripwhen buckled around a standard diameter scuba tank.
 2. According toclaim 1, a shot-filled rubber tube, sealed flat on both ends. 3.According to claim 1, the integration of the functions of said tubing asweight and strap by said process of fabrication.
 4. According to claim1, the conversion of said tube ends to flat straps as the means ofattachment to said quick-release buckle elements.
 5. According to claim1, the variation of the weight of the device, while preserving theembodiment of the invention, by means of employing a combination ofdifferent weight materials in the weight fill component.
 6. According toclaim 1, an elastic, stretchable weight comprised of a length of saidtubing filled with divided weight, such as lead shot and sealed flat onboth ends.
 7. According to claim 1, the use of said flattened tubingends as straps for the purpose of attaching said buckle elements. 8.According to claim 1, the use of curved rubber tubing to ensure greatercontact and grip and easier application of the device, than if straighttubing were employed.
 9. According to claim 1, the cushioning effect, asa result of the embodiment of the invention, as a protective bumper andanti-roll device.